Oral arguments made in Widmer 2nd appeal

WARREN COUNTY, OH (FOX19) - Oral arguments were made on Tuesday for Ryan Widmer's second appeal. The Warren County man was convicted last year of murdering his wife, Sarah, in 2008.

The first appeal hearing in the case was earlier this year and the 12th District Court of Appeals has not made a ruling. The second appeal focused on the court's decision to not allow the defense to question the lead investigator in the case, Jeff Braley.

Widmer's appellate attorney, Michele Berry, believes the defense should have been allowed to question Braley about lying on his job applications.

"Unfortunately, the jury never got to consider any of this evidence or its impact on the investigation of Sarah Widmer's death," said Berry. "Had the jury been able to consider this evidence, it's quite likely that the jury would have acquitted Ryan."

Berry argued in the first appeal case that authorities should not have seized the bathtub where Sarah Widmer drowned.

Berry also claims one of the prosecution's witnesses during the third trial gave testimony on fingerprints and forearm smears on the bathtub that was based on junk science.

"That was extremely damaging to Ryan Widmer and I think made a difference in the case," said Berry.

The arguments were made in front of a three-judge panel, but no rulings were made on Tuesday. There's no timetable on when a decision will be made.